Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Extraordinary Form?
The term Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite refers to what is also known as the Traditional Latin Mass or the Tridentine Mass, namely the Latin Mass celebrated according to the 1962 Roman Missal.
Who’s your pastor?
We’re not a parish, so we don’t have a pastor. The faithful remain under the jurisdiction of the pastors of their home parishes. Fr. Alan Mackey is our chaplain and serves the sacramental needs of the faithful in the Huntsville area.
I’ve never been to a Latin Mass. What can I generally expect?
The embedded video is less than five minutes long and offers a good overview of the appearance and form of the Traditional Latin Mass, including the sounds of the liturgical music, the style of the sermon (in English), and the solemnity of the Consecration (in Latin). This particular Mass was said by our Chaplain, Fr. Alan Mackey, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Birmingham.
Is the Mass entirely in Latin?
Yes. The sermon, however, is preached in English, and the Epistle and Gospel are usually repeated in English when there’s a sermon. The prayers after Low Mass are said in English, and English hymns may be sung before or after any Mass, or during Low Mass. (See below for an explanation of the differences between Low and High Mass).
I’ve never studied Latin. How will I know what’s being said?
Visitors may get more out of the Mass by following the ceremonies, listening to the music, and praying silently than by reading the translation from the Missal. With that said, Latin-English Booklet Missals are available for the use of the congregation; at Blessed Sacrament, they are on the table in the side vestibule. The Booklet Missal contains the Ordinary, which consists of those parts of the Mass that remain the same from day to day. You may wish to wish to print out the Proper of the Mass from one of the websites listed under the “Liturgy” section of our links page. On occasions when a large number of visitors are expected, a bulletin is usually provided.
How will I know when to stand, sit, and kneel?
If you’ve never attended a Traditional Latin Mass before, the best thing to do is sit in the back of the Church and take your cue from the people sitting in front of you. The Booklet Missals we provide for use during Mass offer directions as to posture. For more detailed information, check out this helpful table offered by Una Voce America.
Where can I get my own Missal?
There are at least ten traditional Missals in English currently in print*, which can be purchased from the sites listed under the “Publishers and Stores” section of our links page. All of the Missals for adults contain at least the Ordinary of the Mass and the Proper for Sundays and holy days of obligation in English. Recommended: The Roman Catholic Daily Missal - genuine leather ($65), The Roman Catholic Daily Missal - imitation leather ($50), or, for those on a budget: The Layman’s Missal ($15.96).
Missals (listed alphabetically):
How should I dress for Mass?
Modestly and neatly. Shorts, T-shirts, and sleeveless or low-cut dresses or tops are inappropriate. Many choose to wear their “Sunday best.” In accordance with 1 Corinthians 11:5, many women cover their heads in church.
What’s different about Communion at the traditional Latin Mass?
Holy Communion is received kneeling and on the tongue, and the communicant does not answer “Amen” to the words of administration. The celebrant alone drinks from the chalice. Communion is open only to those who are in communion with the Catholic Church. A one-hour fast from food and drink except water is of obligation (except for those who must eat to take medication), and many prefer to fast for three hours or even from midnight. It isn’t customary for the priest to give blessings at the Communion rail except to young children, so those who aren’t going to Communion should remain in the pews.
How long does the Mass take?
It depends on the degree of solemnity, whether or not there’s a sermon, and the number of communicants. At High Mass, the music may also affect the length of the Mass. A weekday Low Mass without a sermon may be over in less than half a hour, whereas a Solemn High Mass with sermon and choral singing may take an hour and a half or longer. The typical Sunday High Mass in this diocese will last about an hour and twenty minutes.
What’s the difference between Low Mass and High Mass?
A High Mass is sung. There may be singing during Low Mass, but the Mass itself isn’t sung—the priest doesn’t sing any of his parts, and the choir doesn’t sing any of the actual texts of the Mass. The posture of the congregation also differs. If unsure whether to stand, sit, or kneel, it’s best to follow the lead of those around you. (If everyone’s equally confused, taking your cue from the altar server is usually a safe bet!)
Are there different types of High Masses?
Yes. In the United States, the term High Mass may indicate either a Missa cantata (Sung Mass) or a Missa solemnis (Solemn Mass); in other English-speaking countries, it may always indicate the latter. At a Solemn High Mass, the celebrant is assisted by a deacon and subdeacon, a master of ceremonies, and a number of servers, and incense is always used. Incense may be used at a Sung Mass as well. A Pontifical High Mass (or Solemn Pontifical Mass) is celebrated by a bishop and requires even more ministers than a Solemn High Mass.
Are there different types of Low Masses too?
Not exactly, but the degree of vocal participation by the congregation varies. The responses may be made by the altar server alone. When the congregation says the responses with the server, this is known as a Dialogue Mass.
Do you have Vespers or other services besides Mass?
At present, no. During Lent, however, the Stations of the Cross are led by the parish priests on Fridays. Refer to the parish bulletin for times.
